Editor's Address

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As I write this, it is early April and the seasonal rains are in full swing. Maybe it is corny, maybe it is cliche, but the meaning of “April showers, May flowers” has really become clear to me in the last few months. The turmoil of the recent months both on a personal level and with regards to challenges we have collectively faced as a result of the pandemic have reminded me of a scent I grew up with—that distinct earthy smell of the ground after it had rained. The scientific name for this is called Petrichor.

Petrichor describes the smell of the soil after it has rained. As the water droplets hit the dry soil, air from the pores in the soil rises into the atmosphere, containing certain oils that give it the distinct smell. Apparently, the human nose is geared towards identifying this smell even in tiny proportions. Perhaps we are naturally optimistic people who like to think of the growth following rain and lightning (the scientific reason is that our ancestors developed an uncanny ability to smell rain due to its importance for crops, but scientific reasons are not fun).

With the challenges we all face on a daily basis, big and small, it is nice to be able to take comfort in the fact that after every rainfall there is a promise of growth and life. Whether it be the final exam that I am woefully unprepared for, or late night musings on housing affordability in Toronto, the stresses of everyday life are par for the course. It is our ability to “roll with the punches” that are pivotal in how we shape the world around us.

This issue of TMV Magazine is all about this earthy. It is also about the sometimes unpleasant rain we have to deal with. The articles therein concern an array of issues, from Islamic philosophers and their musings on grief and sorrow to an interview with Master Abdullah Sabree on the challenges faced by the Muslim community in the GTA.

With my time as Editor in Chief coming to an end, I would also like to thank the amazing team I have had the privilege of learning from. The graphic designers who make the magazine visually stunning every single time, editors that work with articles to refine them, and the writers who take time out from their busy schedules to write something they truly care about are all pivotal to TMV and our vision.

I know the saying is “April showers, May flowers” and that this issue is being published in April, but let’s just pretend it was published in May and the magazine you are reading is one of those flowers.

Be well, Hikmat Jamal